Before Saturday’s game in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin joined the ACC Network to provide a weather update on the Hokies’ noon kickoff at Boston College.
“The tsunami bowl is what we are prepared for,” Franklin said. “Wind, 40-50 MPH, rain; fortunately, we got some rain this week in Blacksburg, but when we left Blacksburg, it was one of the most beautiful fall weekends you’ve seen in your life.”
While it wasn’t quite a tsunami in Massachusetts, Franklin was correct.
Heavy winds and rain all day, but that didn’t stop the Hokies from coming away with a 21-14 win over the Eagles, improving to 4-0 and 1-0 in ACC play. It’s the first time that Virginia Tech has started 4-0 since 2017.
It wasn’t easy.
In the first half, neither team could get much going offensively. They went for it on fourth downs and failed. Just before halftime, Virginia Tech kicker John Love drilled a 45-yard field goal to give the Hokies a 3-0 lead at the break. Love’s kick was clutch.
After forcing a three-and-out on Boston College’s first drive after halftime, Virginia Tech wide receiver Que’Sean Brown returned a punt all the way to the Eagles’ 10-yard line. If he hadn’t tripped, it would have been 10-0 Hokies. Still, it was first-and-goal for VT.
After a six-yard run on first down by Marcellous Hawkins, offensive coordinator Ty Howle called two more runs that went nowhere, and the Hokies kicked the field goal. It felt like a squandered opportunity at that moment.
Boston College made them pay. The Hokies had no answer for quarterback Mason McKenzie. On a play close to midfield, Tech tackled McKenzie, bringing up a second down. McKenzie landed on his shoulder and had to leave the game. He missed one play and returned, facing a third-and-4. McKenzie responded with a 45-yard run and quickly followed it up with a short touchdown run to give BC the lead.
On Tech’s next possession, Hawkins fumbled, giving the Eagles possession inside the VT 25-yard line. Momentum belonged to Boston College. Fortunately, a huge sack by Cortez Harris pushed the Eagles back and forced a punt.
The teams continued to trade possessions until McKenzie scored again, this time from two yards out with 11 minutes remaining. For the first time in 2026 and under James Franklin, Virginia Tech faced adversity.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer responded, completing five of eight passes on a 10-play, 80-yard drive, with a beautiful throw-and-catch to wide receiver Marlion Jackson for a 14-yard touchdown. The Hokies went for a two-point conversion, which succeeded on a Jeffrey Overton Jr. run to tie it 14-14.
After a defensive stop, the Hokies got the ball back. On the first play, Grunkemeyer hands it off to Overton, who takes it 76 yards to the house. Suddenly, the Hokies lead 21-14 with around five minutes remaining.
Tech gets another defensive stop, and Overton finishes the game with several big runs to clinch the win for Tech. He finished the game with 24 carries for a career-high 190 yards and a touchdown. Overton also caught three passes for 19 yards.
Grunkemeyer battled the tough conditions, completing 22 of 25 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Star tight end Luke Reynolds had a quiet day, catching five passes for just 15 yards. Brown led the Hokies in receiving with eight receptions for 51 yards.
Yes, Virginia Tech was favored, but this was a huge win for the Hokies. They overcame adversity for the first time this season and now go home undefeated with a big game against Pitt next Friday night.
